Saturday, April 21
Tallahassee, FL
1:00 PM
University of Louisville
at
Florida State
Softball Hits the Road for No. 8/10 Florida State
April 20, 2018 | Softball
Cards will take on No. 8/10 Florida State starting Saturday and ending Monday with an ESPNU game at 7 p.m.
The University of Louisville softball team will hit the road for Tallahassee, Fla., where the Cardinals will take on No. 8/10 Florida State in a three-game ACC series starting with a 1 p.m. matchup Saturday. The teams will meet again Sunday at 11 a.m. - an hour earlier than the originally scheduled first pitch due to inclement weather in the forecast. The series finale will take place Monday at 7 p.m. in an ESPNU televised game.
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Team Notes
• Louisville will wrap up a two-week road swing this weekend with an ACC series at No. 8/10 Florida State.
• The Cardinals bring a 28-14 overall record into the weekend after defeating Indiana 11-7 Wednesday in Bloomington. In their most recent ACC action, the Cardinals split a doubleheader at Syracuse over the weekend. The series finale was cancelled due to weather.
• UofL carries a 7-7 ACC mark and stands fourth in the Atlantic Division while FSU's 13-2 record leads the division.
• On March 4, Louisville defeated Eastern Illinois 6-0 to mark the 700th win in school history - all under head coach Sandy Pearsall who started the program in 2000. She now has a 713-363 mark at UofL.
Individual Notes
• Freshman Danielle Watson (14-7) carries a team-best 2.47 ERA with 95 strikeouts in 113.1 innings of work while holding opponents to a .212 batting average. Junior Megan Hensley (12-5) holds a 3.34 ERA and leads the pitching staff with 112Ks in 140.1 innings.
• Hensley also paces the team with a .373 batting average and five home runs. The junior also has a team-best 14 multi-hit games.
• Sophomore Caitlin Ferguson has collected a team-best 37 RBIs with 11 multi-RBI games.
• Sophomore Celene Funke leads the team with 14 stolen bases.Â
• Junior Sidney Melton is on a 10 game hitting streak and has reached base in the last 16 games. She leads the team with 37 runs and is 13-for-13 in stolen bases.
• Sandy Pearsall is in her 19th season as UofL's head coach. After building the program from scratch in 2000, Pearsall recently achieved her 700th victory at Louisville. She has guided the Cardinals to six conference championships. Under her watch, Louisville has made 13 NCAA regional appearances and served as a host site in 2009, 2011, 2012 and 2013.
Cards against the field
No. 8/10 Florida State
Series Record: Florida State leads 9-4 and has won the last five meetings.
Louisville vs. Florida State Series History
Date                          Site                Result
2-9-02Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â AÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â L, 1-4
2-7-04Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â AÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â L, 0-8
2-10-06Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â AÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â W, 12-3
2-9-08Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â AÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â W, 4-3
2-9-08Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â AÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â L, 4-6
4-11-15Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â HÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â W, 1-0
4-12-15Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â HÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â L, 1-9
5-7-16Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â AÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â W, 4-0
5-7-16Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â AÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â L, 0-9 (5)
5-8-16Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â AÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â L, 3-4
4-23-17Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â HÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â L, 0-11 (5)
4-23-17Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â HÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â L, 3-4 (10)
4-24-17Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â HÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â L, 4-5
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Last Meeting: Then-No. 2/3 Florida State swept a three-game series at Ulmer Stadium. The Seminoles took the first game of a doubleheader 11-0 to clinch the 2017 ACC regular season title. In game two, FSU needed 10 innings to beat the Cards 4-3.
Recapping the 2017 Series
Florida State 11 – Louisville 0
The Seminoles clinched the ACC regular season title behind Jessica Burroughs' one-hitter as Florida State took advantage of a season-high five errors and belted out 10 hits in an 11-0 win to open the series.
• Maryssa Becker took the loss, allowing 11 runs, seven earned, on 10 hits and striking out one in five innings.
• Burroughs struck out seven in five innings to get the win. Jessica Warren paced the Seminoles with a 3-for-4, three RBI performance at the plate.
Florida State 4 - Louisville 3 (10 innings)
Megan Hensley struck out nine while tossing a career-high 10 innings as the Cardinals fell short 4-3 in an attempt to upset the Seminoles in a game that featured two lead changes and two ties
• Hensley allowed four earned runs on 11 hits while striking out nine – one shy of her career-high - in a complete game effort. Becker went 1-for-4 with two RBIs.
• Megan King got the win, allowing two earned runs on five hits and striking out five in 6.2 innings. Jessica Burroughs gave up one unearned run on two hits and fanned three in 3.1 innings. Carsyn Gordon went 2-for-3 with two runs and an RBI while Zoe Casas drove in two for the Seminoles.
Florida State 5 - Louisville 4
The Cardinals rallied from a 4-1 deficit to tie No. 2/3 Florida State, but Zoe Casa's one-out RBI single in the seventh lifted the Seminoles to a 5-4 victory at Ulmer Stadium.
• Megan Hensley turned in her second straight complete-game effort in the circle and went 2-for-3 with a home run and scored twice while Jamie Soles delivered a two-run double to tie the game in the fourth inning. Morgan Meyer went 2-for-4 to help the Cards belt out nine hits in the game.
• Meghan King got the win, holding the Cardinals scoreless and did not allow a hit while walking one in 3.2 innings of relief. FSU starter Jessica Burroughs, who had held the Cardinals to one hit in game one of the series, gave up four earned runs on nine hits in 3.1 innings. Powers and Broderick each had two hits and two RBIs to help the Seminoles to nine hits in the game.
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Scouting the Seminoles: Florida State enters the weekend with a 36-8 overall record. The Seminoles are ranked No. 8 in the ESPN.com/USA Softball and No. 10 in the USA Today/NFCA coaches polls. FSU carries a 13-2 mark in ACC play and sits atop the Atlantic Division standings.
• Most recently, Florida State took two of three games against Boston College to clinch its 42nd ACC series last weekend. In the opening game of a doubleheader, BC notched a 1-0 shutoutFSU responded with a come-from-behind 5-4 win, scoring five runs in the sixth inning to claim nightcap and wrapped up the series with a 5-0 victory.
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Up next: The Cardinals will return to Ulmer Stadium for a three-game ACC series against Boston College next weekend. The Cardinals will honor seniors Jenna Jordan, Ashley Nikolao, Nicole Pufahl, Jamie Soles and Alixon Szydlowski throughout the weekend culminating with a Senior Day ceremony prior to Sunday's series finale.
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Up last
UofL took an early lead and used a seven-run seventh inning to secure an 11-7 win over Indiana Wednesday at IU's Andy Mohr Stadium.
• Sidney Melton drove in three runs while sophomore Celene Funke went 3-for-5 with two runs and senior Jenna Jordan went 3-for-5 with a run and an RBI and junior Blaire Bass had two hits, scored two runs and collected three RBIs to help Louisville outhit Indiana 14-6. Freshman Danielle Watson (14-7) picked up the win after giving up two earned runs on two hits and striking out two in 3.0 innings.
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Recapping last weekend
The Cards split an ACC doubleheader at Syracuse, taking the opener 3-2 and falling 4-3 in game two. The rubber-game was cancelled due to inclement weather.
Louisville 3 - Syracuse 2
Megan Hensley struck out eight to pick up the win in the circle and notched her fifth home run of the season to help the Cardinals open the series with a 3-2 win.
• Hensley surrendered two earned runs on five hits and struck out eight in a complete game effort. She recorded one hit along with Melton, Wolfe, Snyder and Alison Szydlowski.
• Alexa Romero took the loss after giving up three earned runs on four hits and striking out five in 4.2 innings. Five different players had a hit for the Orange.
Syracuse 4 - Louisville 3
In the second game of Friday's doubleheader, the Cardinals fell behind 2-0 and rallied with two runs in the seventh to take a 3-2 lead, but the Orange answered with a pair of runs in the home half of the inning to even the series at a game apiece.
• Nicole Pufahl went 3-for-3 with a double and two RBIs and Maddy Newman finished 2-for-3 with a double, a run and an RBI to lead the Cardinals at the plate.
• Snyder (1-2) took the loss, allowing one earned run on two hits in 0.2 innings of relief. Watson gave up three earned runs on seven hits and struck out three in six innings of work.
• AnnMarie Gatti (7-6) got the win after surrendering two runs, one earned on seven hits and striking out five in seven innings. Sammy Fernandez, Teran and Mayfield each had a pair of hits to lead the Orange at the plate.
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Hensley surpasses 100 career RBIs
On April 6, Megan Hensley hit two home runs to help the Cardinals beat Virginia 14-7. With her first home run of the game, a three-run shot, she achieved and surpassed her 100th career RBI. Hensley became the 16th player in school history to reach the 100 RBI milestone. • She now has 115 and needs 13 more to move into Louisville's career RBI list, tying Lacy Wood (2003-06) for 10th with 128.
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Pufahl joins 100 RBI club
In the April 13, 4-3 loss at Syracuse, senior Nicole Pufahl connected on a two-run single to record her 100th and 101st career RBIs. She became the 17th player in program history to reach the 100 RBI mark and currently has 103.Â
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Funke fast
Sophomore Celene Funke (pronounced Funky) is a perfect 14-for-14 in stolen bases to lead the Cardinals. The speedy outfielder needs two more to enter Louisville's top 10 list, joining Shannon Nord (2004), Vanessa James (2010) and Jennifer Esteban (2012) who are in a three-way tie for tenth with 16. Coleen Coughlin owns the school record with 28 stolen bases in 2000.
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Ferguson matches single-season run record
In the Cardinals' April 7 16-1 win over Virginia Caitlin Ferguson tied a school record with four runs after registering a double and three walks.
• She became the 12th player in program history to score four runs in a game and the first since Sidney Melton accomplished the feat against Southern Utah on Feb. 10, 2007.
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Melton ties school single game record with three stolen bases
On March 23, junior Sidney Melton recorded three stolen bases in Louisville's 5-3 win at Duke. In doing so, it marked the sixth time in program history that a player accomplished the feat and the first time since April 12, 2014 when Kelsi Jones swiped three against Connecticut.
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Melton also moves into top 10 in career stolen bases
Melton now stands second on the team with 13 stolen bases (13-for-13) to move her career total to 31. She is now 10th on Louisville's all-time list and needs three more to tie Kenzie Meisenburg (2001-02) for ninth.
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Pearsall, Louisville reach 700 wins
On March 4, 2018, the University of Louisville softball team defeated Eastern Illinois 6-0 in the final game of the Red & Black Classic at Ulmer Stadium.
Pearsall Highlights at Louisville
• Sandy Pearsall is in her 19th season at the helm after starting the program in 2000.
• She has registered a 713-363 record at Louisville; producing 14 consecutive winning seasons (six winning seasons in the 18-year history of the program).
•Six conference championships in three conferences (C-USA, BIG EAST, American Athletic ConferenceÂ
• Louisville has been ranked in the top 10 numerous times, reaching as high as No. 7 (as recently as 2013)
• Conference Coaching Staff of the Year three times: 2012 (BIG EAST); 2006 (BIG EAST); 2000 (Conference USA); NFCA Great Lakes Region Coaching Staff of the Year (2012).
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Hitting for average
The Cardinals lead the ACC with a .310 team batting average and feature nine players batting over .300 on the season. Junior Megan Hensley recently took over as the team's leading hitter with a .373 average. Sophomore Celene Funke follows at a .361 clip. Sophomore Caitlin Ferguson stands third with a .336 mark. Junior Sidney Melton is fourth at .328 while senior Nicole Pufahl follows closely with a .325 mark. Junior Madison Cousineau (.321), freshman Maddy Newman (.317), senior Alison Szydlowski (.305) and freshman Kyra Snyder (.304) round out the top hitters.Â
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Life is grand for Hensley
Megan Hensley connected on a grand slam in Louisville's 9-4 win against Northern Illinois on March 14 marked the first since Feb. 17, 2017 when Hensley launched a grand slam in the 9-0 win over Ohio State in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge. Hensley connected on her first career grand slam as a freshman on March 30, 2016 when the Cards beat Western Kentucky 12-0.
• She leads the current team with three career grand slams. Lacy Wood (2003-06) holds the school record with four.
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Hensley registers 200th strikeout
In the March 14, 9-4 win against Northern Illinois, Megan Hensley picked up the win while striking out six in 4.2 innings of relief. In doing so, she registered and surpassed her 200th career strikeout. She now has 251Ks and recently moved into a tie for eighth among Louisville's all-time strikeout leaders.
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Watson off to stellar start
Freshman Danielle Watson has been impressive in her debut as a Cardinal. The right-handed pitcher is tied for fourth in the ACC with a 14-7 record.
• Watson carries a 2.47 ERA with 95 strikeouts in 113.1 innings while holding opponents to a .212 batting average.
•The Osceola, Ind., native made her debut in the Cardinals 5-3 win over UCF. In that game, she surrendered one earned run and struck out five while scattering four hits in 5.0 innings.
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Hensley climbing the record book
Junior RHP Megan Hensley has entered Louisville's top career list in several categories.
• Fifth with eight career saves and needs one more to tie for fourth with Tori Collins (2009-12).
• Eighth in appearances (85), needs one more to move into a tie for seventh with Aja Sherman (2002-05) .
• EIghth in career games started in the circle (57), needs one more to tie for seventh with Aja Sherman (2002-05).
• Eighth career wins (36), needs six more to move into a tie for seventh with Aja Sherman (2002-05).
• Ninth in career strikeouts (255), needs 27 more to tie Tara McClure (2000-01) for eighth.
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Pufahl eclipses 100 career runs
Senior Nicole Pufahl scored her 100th career run on March 10 when the Cardinals' 10-6 defeated Eastern Michigan at Ulmer Stadium. The senior outfielder now has 112 runs in her career and needs five more to move into a tie for 10th with Sara Bausher (2002-05) and Alicja Wolny (2010-13) on Louisville's all-time list for career runs.
• She also recently collected her 100th RBI and now has 103 in her career.
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Youthful impact
Along with the veteran leadership from the upperclassmen on the field, several underclassmen have also made valuable contributions. Entering the weekend, Louisville's top two hitters are underclassmen.
• Sophomore Caitlin Ferguson has started every game at shortstop, third base or first base and leads the team with 37 RBIs and 11 multi-RBI games. She is the only player to start every contest for the Cards season.
• Sophomore Celene Funke is second on the team with a .361 batting average, and is a team-best 14-for-14 in stolen bases.
• Freshman Maddy Newman stands seventh on the team with a .317 batting average and has scored 19 runs with seven stolen bases. She has played in 34 games with 24 starts.
• Freshman RHP Danielle Watson (14-7) leads the pitching staff and is fourth in the ACC with 14 wins. She carries a team-best 2.47 ERA with 95 strikeouts in 113.1 innings of work.Â
• Freshman Kyra Snyder has started 40 games at first base or in the circle and carries a .304 batting average.
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Team Notes
• Louisville will wrap up a two-week road swing this weekend with an ACC series at No. 8/10 Florida State.
• The Cardinals bring a 28-14 overall record into the weekend after defeating Indiana 11-7 Wednesday in Bloomington. In their most recent ACC action, the Cardinals split a doubleheader at Syracuse over the weekend. The series finale was cancelled due to weather.
• UofL carries a 7-7 ACC mark and stands fourth in the Atlantic Division while FSU's 13-2 record leads the division.
• On March 4, Louisville defeated Eastern Illinois 6-0 to mark the 700th win in school history - all under head coach Sandy Pearsall who started the program in 2000. She now has a 713-363 mark at UofL.
Individual Notes
• Freshman Danielle Watson (14-7) carries a team-best 2.47 ERA with 95 strikeouts in 113.1 innings of work while holding opponents to a .212 batting average. Junior Megan Hensley (12-5) holds a 3.34 ERA and leads the pitching staff with 112Ks in 140.1 innings.
• Hensley also paces the team with a .373 batting average and five home runs. The junior also has a team-best 14 multi-hit games.
• Sophomore Caitlin Ferguson has collected a team-best 37 RBIs with 11 multi-RBI games.
• Sophomore Celene Funke leads the team with 14 stolen bases.Â
• Junior Sidney Melton is on a 10 game hitting streak and has reached base in the last 16 games. She leads the team with 37 runs and is 13-for-13 in stolen bases.
• Sandy Pearsall is in her 19th season as UofL's head coach. After building the program from scratch in 2000, Pearsall recently achieved her 700th victory at Louisville. She has guided the Cardinals to six conference championships. Under her watch, Louisville has made 13 NCAA regional appearances and served as a host site in 2009, 2011, 2012 and 2013.
Cards against the field
No. 8/10 Florida State
Series Record: Florida State leads 9-4 and has won the last five meetings.
Louisville vs. Florida State Series History
Date                          Site                Result
2-9-02Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â AÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â L, 1-4
2-7-04Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â AÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â L, 0-8
2-10-06Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â AÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â W, 12-3
2-9-08Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â AÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â W, 4-3
2-9-08Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â AÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â L, 4-6
4-11-15Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â HÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â W, 1-0
4-12-15Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â HÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â L, 1-9
5-7-16Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â AÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â W, 4-0
5-7-16Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â AÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â L, 0-9 (5)
5-8-16Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â AÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â L, 3-4
4-23-17Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â HÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â L, 0-11 (5)
4-23-17Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â HÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â L, 3-4 (10)
4-24-17Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â HÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â L, 4-5
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Last Meeting: Then-No. 2/3 Florida State swept a three-game series at Ulmer Stadium. The Seminoles took the first game of a doubleheader 11-0 to clinch the 2017 ACC regular season title. In game two, FSU needed 10 innings to beat the Cards 4-3.
Recapping the 2017 Series
Florida State 11 – Louisville 0
The Seminoles clinched the ACC regular season title behind Jessica Burroughs' one-hitter as Florida State took advantage of a season-high five errors and belted out 10 hits in an 11-0 win to open the series.
• Maryssa Becker took the loss, allowing 11 runs, seven earned, on 10 hits and striking out one in five innings.
• Burroughs struck out seven in five innings to get the win. Jessica Warren paced the Seminoles with a 3-for-4, three RBI performance at the plate.
Florida State 4 - Louisville 3 (10 innings)
Megan Hensley struck out nine while tossing a career-high 10 innings as the Cardinals fell short 4-3 in an attempt to upset the Seminoles in a game that featured two lead changes and two ties
• Hensley allowed four earned runs on 11 hits while striking out nine – one shy of her career-high - in a complete game effort. Becker went 1-for-4 with two RBIs.
• Megan King got the win, allowing two earned runs on five hits and striking out five in 6.2 innings. Jessica Burroughs gave up one unearned run on two hits and fanned three in 3.1 innings. Carsyn Gordon went 2-for-3 with two runs and an RBI while Zoe Casas drove in two for the Seminoles.
Florida State 5 - Louisville 4
The Cardinals rallied from a 4-1 deficit to tie No. 2/3 Florida State, but Zoe Casa's one-out RBI single in the seventh lifted the Seminoles to a 5-4 victory at Ulmer Stadium.
• Megan Hensley turned in her second straight complete-game effort in the circle and went 2-for-3 with a home run and scored twice while Jamie Soles delivered a two-run double to tie the game in the fourth inning. Morgan Meyer went 2-for-4 to help the Cards belt out nine hits in the game.
• Meghan King got the win, holding the Cardinals scoreless and did not allow a hit while walking one in 3.2 innings of relief. FSU starter Jessica Burroughs, who had held the Cardinals to one hit in game one of the series, gave up four earned runs on nine hits in 3.1 innings. Powers and Broderick each had two hits and two RBIs to help the Seminoles to nine hits in the game.
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Scouting the Seminoles: Florida State enters the weekend with a 36-8 overall record. The Seminoles are ranked No. 8 in the ESPN.com/USA Softball and No. 10 in the USA Today/NFCA coaches polls. FSU carries a 13-2 mark in ACC play and sits atop the Atlantic Division standings.
• Most recently, Florida State took two of three games against Boston College to clinch its 42nd ACC series last weekend. In the opening game of a doubleheader, BC notched a 1-0 shutoutFSU responded with a come-from-behind 5-4 win, scoring five runs in the sixth inning to claim nightcap and wrapped up the series with a 5-0 victory.
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Up next: The Cardinals will return to Ulmer Stadium for a three-game ACC series against Boston College next weekend. The Cardinals will honor seniors Jenna Jordan, Ashley Nikolao, Nicole Pufahl, Jamie Soles and Alixon Szydlowski throughout the weekend culminating with a Senior Day ceremony prior to Sunday's series finale.
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Up last
UofL took an early lead and used a seven-run seventh inning to secure an 11-7 win over Indiana Wednesday at IU's Andy Mohr Stadium.
• Sidney Melton drove in three runs while sophomore Celene Funke went 3-for-5 with two runs and senior Jenna Jordan went 3-for-5 with a run and an RBI and junior Blaire Bass had two hits, scored two runs and collected three RBIs to help Louisville outhit Indiana 14-6. Freshman Danielle Watson (14-7) picked up the win after giving up two earned runs on two hits and striking out two in 3.0 innings.
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Recapping last weekend
The Cards split an ACC doubleheader at Syracuse, taking the opener 3-2 and falling 4-3 in game two. The rubber-game was cancelled due to inclement weather.
Louisville 3 - Syracuse 2
Megan Hensley struck out eight to pick up the win in the circle and notched her fifth home run of the season to help the Cardinals open the series with a 3-2 win.
• Hensley surrendered two earned runs on five hits and struck out eight in a complete game effort. She recorded one hit along with Melton, Wolfe, Snyder and Alison Szydlowski.
• Alexa Romero took the loss after giving up three earned runs on four hits and striking out five in 4.2 innings. Five different players had a hit for the Orange.
Syracuse 4 - Louisville 3
In the second game of Friday's doubleheader, the Cardinals fell behind 2-0 and rallied with two runs in the seventh to take a 3-2 lead, but the Orange answered with a pair of runs in the home half of the inning to even the series at a game apiece.
• Nicole Pufahl went 3-for-3 with a double and two RBIs and Maddy Newman finished 2-for-3 with a double, a run and an RBI to lead the Cardinals at the plate.
• Snyder (1-2) took the loss, allowing one earned run on two hits in 0.2 innings of relief. Watson gave up three earned runs on seven hits and struck out three in six innings of work.
• AnnMarie Gatti (7-6) got the win after surrendering two runs, one earned on seven hits and striking out five in seven innings. Sammy Fernandez, Teran and Mayfield each had a pair of hits to lead the Orange at the plate.
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Hensley surpasses 100 career RBIs
On April 6, Megan Hensley hit two home runs to help the Cardinals beat Virginia 14-7. With her first home run of the game, a three-run shot, she achieved and surpassed her 100th career RBI. Hensley became the 16th player in school history to reach the 100 RBI milestone. • She now has 115 and needs 13 more to move into Louisville's career RBI list, tying Lacy Wood (2003-06) for 10th with 128.
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Pufahl joins 100 RBI club
In the April 13, 4-3 loss at Syracuse, senior Nicole Pufahl connected on a two-run single to record her 100th and 101st career RBIs. She became the 17th player in program history to reach the 100 RBI mark and currently has 103.Â
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Funke fast
Sophomore Celene Funke (pronounced Funky) is a perfect 14-for-14 in stolen bases to lead the Cardinals. The speedy outfielder needs two more to enter Louisville's top 10 list, joining Shannon Nord (2004), Vanessa James (2010) and Jennifer Esteban (2012) who are in a three-way tie for tenth with 16. Coleen Coughlin owns the school record with 28 stolen bases in 2000.
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Ferguson matches single-season run record
In the Cardinals' April 7 16-1 win over Virginia Caitlin Ferguson tied a school record with four runs after registering a double and three walks.
• She became the 12th player in program history to score four runs in a game and the first since Sidney Melton accomplished the feat against Southern Utah on Feb. 10, 2007.
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Melton ties school single game record with three stolen bases
On March 23, junior Sidney Melton recorded three stolen bases in Louisville's 5-3 win at Duke. In doing so, it marked the sixth time in program history that a player accomplished the feat and the first time since April 12, 2014 when Kelsi Jones swiped three against Connecticut.
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Melton also moves into top 10 in career stolen bases
Melton now stands second on the team with 13 stolen bases (13-for-13) to move her career total to 31. She is now 10th on Louisville's all-time list and needs three more to tie Kenzie Meisenburg (2001-02) for ninth.
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Pearsall, Louisville reach 700 wins
On March 4, 2018, the University of Louisville softball team defeated Eastern Illinois 6-0 in the final game of the Red & Black Classic at Ulmer Stadium.
Pearsall Highlights at Louisville
• Sandy Pearsall is in her 19th season at the helm after starting the program in 2000.
• She has registered a 713-363 record at Louisville; producing 14 consecutive winning seasons (six winning seasons in the 18-year history of the program).
•Six conference championships in three conferences (C-USA, BIG EAST, American Athletic ConferenceÂ
• Louisville has been ranked in the top 10 numerous times, reaching as high as No. 7 (as recently as 2013)
• Conference Coaching Staff of the Year three times: 2012 (BIG EAST); 2006 (BIG EAST); 2000 (Conference USA); NFCA Great Lakes Region Coaching Staff of the Year (2012).
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Hitting for average
The Cardinals lead the ACC with a .310 team batting average and feature nine players batting over .300 on the season. Junior Megan Hensley recently took over as the team's leading hitter with a .373 average. Sophomore Celene Funke follows at a .361 clip. Sophomore Caitlin Ferguson stands third with a .336 mark. Junior Sidney Melton is fourth at .328 while senior Nicole Pufahl follows closely with a .325 mark. Junior Madison Cousineau (.321), freshman Maddy Newman (.317), senior Alison Szydlowski (.305) and freshman Kyra Snyder (.304) round out the top hitters.Â
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Life is grand for Hensley
Megan Hensley connected on a grand slam in Louisville's 9-4 win against Northern Illinois on March 14 marked the first since Feb. 17, 2017 when Hensley launched a grand slam in the 9-0 win over Ohio State in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge. Hensley connected on her first career grand slam as a freshman on March 30, 2016 when the Cards beat Western Kentucky 12-0.
• She leads the current team with three career grand slams. Lacy Wood (2003-06) holds the school record with four.
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Hensley registers 200th strikeout
In the March 14, 9-4 win against Northern Illinois, Megan Hensley picked up the win while striking out six in 4.2 innings of relief. In doing so, she registered and surpassed her 200th career strikeout. She now has 251Ks and recently moved into a tie for eighth among Louisville's all-time strikeout leaders.
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Watson off to stellar start
Freshman Danielle Watson has been impressive in her debut as a Cardinal. The right-handed pitcher is tied for fourth in the ACC with a 14-7 record.
• Watson carries a 2.47 ERA with 95 strikeouts in 113.1 innings while holding opponents to a .212 batting average.
•The Osceola, Ind., native made her debut in the Cardinals 5-3 win over UCF. In that game, she surrendered one earned run and struck out five while scattering four hits in 5.0 innings.
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Hensley climbing the record book
Junior RHP Megan Hensley has entered Louisville's top career list in several categories.
• Fifth with eight career saves and needs one more to tie for fourth with Tori Collins (2009-12).
• Eighth in appearances (85), needs one more to move into a tie for seventh with Aja Sherman (2002-05) .
• EIghth in career games started in the circle (57), needs one more to tie for seventh with Aja Sherman (2002-05).
• Eighth career wins (36), needs six more to move into a tie for seventh with Aja Sherman (2002-05).
• Ninth in career strikeouts (255), needs 27 more to tie Tara McClure (2000-01) for eighth.
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Pufahl eclipses 100 career runs
Senior Nicole Pufahl scored her 100th career run on March 10 when the Cardinals' 10-6 defeated Eastern Michigan at Ulmer Stadium. The senior outfielder now has 112 runs in her career and needs five more to move into a tie for 10th with Sara Bausher (2002-05) and Alicja Wolny (2010-13) on Louisville's all-time list for career runs.
• She also recently collected her 100th RBI and now has 103 in her career.
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Youthful impact
Along with the veteran leadership from the upperclassmen on the field, several underclassmen have also made valuable contributions. Entering the weekend, Louisville's top two hitters are underclassmen.
• Sophomore Caitlin Ferguson has started every game at shortstop, third base or first base and leads the team with 37 RBIs and 11 multi-RBI games. She is the only player to start every contest for the Cards season.
• Sophomore Celene Funke is second on the team with a .361 batting average, and is a team-best 14-for-14 in stolen bases.
• Freshman Maddy Newman stands seventh on the team with a .317 batting average and has scored 19 runs with seven stolen bases. She has played in 34 games with 24 starts.
• Freshman RHP Danielle Watson (14-7) leads the pitching staff and is fourth in the ACC with 14 wins. She carries a team-best 2.47 ERA with 95 strikeouts in 113.1 innings of work.Â
• Freshman Kyra Snyder has started 40 games at first base or in the circle and carries a .304 batting average.
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Players Mentioned
OF
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C
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INF
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OF
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P
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C
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INF
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2B/OF
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UT
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OF
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P/1B
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RHP
/ SoftballHighlights: Louisville SB vs. No. 18 Florida State (Gm. 1)
Thursday, July 11
Highlights: Louisville SB at Boston College
Sunday, May 05
SB: Daisy Hess and Sam Booe Postgame vs. #22/21 Clemson
Saturday, April 27
Highlights: Louisville SB vs. No. 22/21 Clemson (Gm. 2)
Saturday, April 27
